House Republicans Give in to Democratic Pressure over Cuts to Local Government

GOP indicates their intention to reduce cuts after Democratic resistance

Columbia, SC – In an effort to kill legislation proposed by House Republicans that would cut funding to local governments by $122 million in this year’s budget, Democrats in the House blasted the proposal for nearly four hours on Thursday.

Democrats took a stand against the Republican proposal t hat would force local governments to either raise property taxes or cut basic services in communities across South Carolina. Dozens of House Democrats spoke out against the tax hike proposal on the house floor, proposing amendments exempting all 46 counties from being subject to the cuts.

“House Democrats refuse to force local governments to raise taxes on their citizens simply because Republicans cannot provide solutions for the problems they created”, said Rep. James Smith (D-Columbia). “These cuts would cripple local governments to the point that they could no longer operate and provide basic services like fire, police, and EMS”.

Smith concluded that these were the most irresponsible cuts he’s seen proposed in his twelve years in the House.

Press reports indicate that the Democratic opposition to this bill had forced Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Cooper (R-Anderson) to reconsider the magnitude of the cuts. He told the Greenville News on Friday that he thinks it is a strong possibility that the committee could reduce the cuts from $122 million to $50 million.

“We’re pleased with the reduction in the cuts, but it’s not enough. We won’t stay quiet while our colleagues across the aisle attempt to pass the buck of responsibility”, said Democratic Leader Harry Ott (D-St. Matthews), who also serves on the Ways and Means Committee.

House Democrats will continue to fight for jobs, public education, and healthcare during budget week slated to begin Monday morning.

House Democrats Oppose Raising Taxes on Local Government

COLUMBIA – House Democrats joined with the South Carolina Association of Counties on Wednesday to oppose the crippling 42% budget cut to local governments proposed and passed by Republicans in the Ways & Means committee last week. These measures would essentially force local and county governments to either cut basic services for their communities who are already dealing with the massive drawbacks in last year’s budget, or raise taxes.

“This proposal is unacceptable and fiscally irresponsible”, said Rep. Cathy Harvin (D-Clarendon). “We cannot expect local governments to fix the problems that were created right here in Columbia”. Harvin added, “House Democrats will not vote for this budget if these cuts do not disappear.

The proposed cuts force local governments to carry the financial burden of the budget crisis without giving them an alternative solution to create revenue. With Act 388 prohibiting local governments from raising property taxes, the only remaining options lie in the dramatic downscaling of basic services, pay cuts, and layoffs.

Several Democratic members of the House and Senate voiced their opposition to the massive cuts at the press conference, stating that the drastic impact it would have on employees, county officials, and basic services were too catastrophic to ignore.

“We will not stand idly by while the Republicans attempt to bamboozle and hoodwink county and local governments”, said Rep. Wendell Gilliard, a former City Councilman in Charleston. “I’ve seen it done before, and I will not let it happen again."